It is actually quite an interesting topic, and has many controversies whether this form of technology is accepted in today’s society, or not.
Objections to the idea of ‘designer babies’ include the termination of embryos and how many disapprove of methods such as these under moral and religious grounds. For example, a group who believes in pro-life would not approve of the termination of preborn embryos. Also, the social standards go much further. It can be projected that we will breed a race of ‘super humans’ who look down on those humans without genetic enhancements. Assuming genetic enhancement becomes readily available it will presumably be costly. In this instance only the wealthy would be protected from inherited diseases and disabilities, and the discrimination against those with disabilities would greatly rise. Lastly, humans have never experienced the effects of genetic structure alteration. The results could have dire consequences and possibly damage the gene pool.
It is really amazing what our world has come to, and what we are able to do and what we will be able to do in the near future. Although all of this has also brought upon many ethical and religious concerns for many people, but especially us Catholic’s.
Regarding genetic modification, it has recently become possible to let embryos grow outside of the human body for up to seven days, by which time, only the most vigorous survive. This reduces the number of embryos implanted and increases the number of successful implantations, while also reducing the number of multiple pregnancies. Most embryos, conceived in in-vitro fertilization clinics eventually die. If they are not implanted, they are either "donated" for research, in which case they are killed, or they are kept in cold storage in very low temperatures after which most are disposed of, or eventually die.
Not infrequently, early in pregnancy, some of these embryos are killed by injection of potassium chloride into the embryo's heart. This procedure is called "fetal reduction”. A human being comes into existence at the moment of fertilization of an oocyte (ovum) by a sperm. The Catholic Church teaches that a human being must be respected-as a person-from the very first instant of his existence as a human being, and therefore, from that same moment, his rights as a person must be recognized among which in the first place, is the inviolable right of every innocent human being to life. In-vitro fertilization violates the rights of the child: it deprives him of his filial relationship with his parental origins and can hinder the maturing of his personality. The Church teaches that medical research must refrain from operations on live embryos, unless there is moral certainty of not causing harm to the life or integrity of the unborn child and mother, and on condition that the parents have given free and informed consent to the procedure.
There are many negative concerns, although genetic modification in my opinion can be used for a positive effect on our society today. Genetic screening can reduce the baby's chances of being born with several serious diseases like Down syndrome, Famial hypercholesterolemia, and rare blood disorders such as Diamond Blackfan Anaemia.
Same was the case with Charlie Whitaker, who suffered from Diamond Blackfan Anaemia. His parents wanted to have a designer baby to save Charlie's life. Since they were denied the right in UK, they went to US to have their baby. In 2003, Charlie's baby brother was born and the stem cells from his umbilical cord would be used to treat Charlie.
Hey Michelle, I really enjoyed reading your blog. Both your videos were interesting and all your information was very intelligent. I believe that sometimes we are taking advantage of our privileges and misusing it. We should as you said, use our privileges to a positive extent and be proud of what we have. Michelle, I believe that genetic research has gone too far and hundreds of thousands of dollars have being spent on researching for designer babies, when it could be spent on researching for incurable diseases. You did a really good job on your blog!
ReplyDeleteHello Michelle.
ReplyDeleteI like your blog about designer babies. I especially enjoyed the part about humans looking down upon babies whose characteristics haven't been made for them. "Super humans" is a good word for them because they are protected against the diseases that other humans wouldn't normally be protected against. I have learned a lot in your blog that I haven't learned in my research. Also, I would like to point out that your video is also what i had in mind when it came to designer babies.
nice blogging Michelle Seguin.
Hey Michelle! I agree with you that technology has gotten very advanced and possibly too advanced. The future will be very advanced, especially if we are designing babies now. It is really great though, that this technology is able to minimize the possible diseases being passed on to the offspring, but I think that is were it stops. I personally think that literally "designing" your baby is too much. If you created this child you should be able to care for it the way it is, and not change it to be what you want it to be. I also agree that we should use this technology to a positive extent and be proud of what we created. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your blog about designer babies. I absolutely agree with what you had to say. The fact that we have a way to change babies features and to design them to how we would like them to look or turn out to be, shows how technology has really advanced. I believe that people shouldn't choose this path for their babies. I also believe that people who are on the edge and are thinking about designing their baby should think twice, and take in consideration of what they are going up against. If designing a baby helps save lives like Adam Nash and Charlie Whitaker then I consider that to be a positive, but changing a baby for your own wants is too far. Great blog Michelle.